Apparatus for separating moisture from vapor



Dec. 9, 1930. J. HAMlLl.

APPARATUS FOR SEPAHATING MOISTURE FROM VAPOR l Filed March 18, 1924 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 9, 1930. J; HAMILL APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING MOISTUREFROM VAPOR Filed March 18, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y ATTORN l J. HAMILLDec. 9, 1930. A

APPARATUS FOR SEPARTING MOISTURE FROM VAPOR Filed MaI-5h18, 1924 'ssheetsLshet 5 nUnUn nunnn ffm/U INVENTOR ATTOR EY Patented Dec. 9, 1930UNITED STATES JAMES HAMILL, F EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY APPARATUS FOBSEPARATING MOISTURE FROM 'VAPOR application mea mmh 1s, 1924. semina.700,173.

The invention relates to a novel process.

and device for separating moisture from the vapor generated in vacuumpans, and more especially to such a process and device'operating bycontrolling the direction and velocity of the vapor generated by thevacuum Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in parthereinafter and in part will be obvious her'efrom, or may be learned bypractice with the invention, the same being realized and vattained bymeans of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in theappended claims. The invention consists in the novel parts,constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shownand de-V scribed.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a parthereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together withthe description, serve to explain the rinciples of the invention.

Of the rawings: Fig. l is a fra entary, central, vertical sectionthrough t e upper part of a vacuum pan, and shows a structure embodyingthe invention, and .is taken substantially on line 1--1 of Fig. 2;

line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

` Fig. 3 is a central, vertical 4section through a vacuum pan, withparts in elevation, showing the application of the invention thereto;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showin a modified structure;

ig. 5 is a fragmentary, horizontal section, taken substantially on line5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal central section through another form oradaptation of my invention; and l Fig. 7 is a transverse section on line7.-7 ofFlg'. 6.

The present invention is directed primarily to removing and saving allthe juice, syrup or other solution which may be carried over in minuteparticles in the vapor from the evaporation in a 4 vacuum pan, and to;remove such particles inthe upper part of the Fig. 2 is a fullhorizontal section, with parts broken-away,-taken substantially on'proximately circular, path, and at the same time itsv velocity isfurther increased.

The circular, or equivalent rotary, motion combined with the velocityseparates the particles of moisture or other liquid, such as the juiceor syrup, from the vapor, and the moisture particles are permitted toescape radially or tangentially, or outwardl while the vapor is kept inits `circular pat The greater part of the moisture is thus separatedfrom the vapor.

vTo 'separate more completely the moisture content of the vapor, the"tream or column is directed inwardly or toward o'r nearer the center ofthe circular lpart of its path andthe velocity thereof is preferablyconcurrently decreased. Therebyfurther moisture is separated therefrom,and the vapor is left practically dry to proceed to the condenser ortoanother vacuum pan or e'ect to be used for causing the evaporationtherein in the usual manner.

The foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription, it will` be understood, are exemplary and explanatory ofthe invention, but are not restrictive thereof.

Referring now in detail tothe embodiment of the invention illustrated byway of example in the accompanying drawings, it is shown applied to avacuum pan of the calandria type (Fig. 3), although it is likewiseapplicable to those of the coil type, and to evaporator cells of thevertical tube type 'l in whichthere 4is a vapor space between the liquorlevel and the moisture Aseparating and saving device. It will beunderstood that the showing of Fig. 3 is to' a very large extent vconventional and more or less diagrammatic,

'a steam or vapor space and is not necessarily proportional orsymmetrical.

The cylindrical body 1 of the vacuum pan has the usual lower invertedconical portion 2, within which is the Calandria 3, having an inlet pipe4 for the steam or heating vapor anda discharge lpipe rtherefor. Adiscylindricalcasing 16, which is mounted upon a dome 17, the domerestino' upon the'upper edge and closing the top o? the vacuum pan 1.These parts ma be joined in any suitable manner, and are s own connectedto ether, respectively, by bolted butt flange joints 19 an 20.

Within the lower part of the casing 16 are the vapor stream acceleratingmeans. This comprises in the embodied form, what may be convenientlystyled a bottom plate 21, which collects and accelerates the ascendingcolumn of vapor. This plate comprises a horizontal,

outwardly-extending, annular llange 22, resting upon and supported by aninwardly-extending, annular flange 23 formed on the upper edgev of thedome 17. Integral .with this flange 22 of the bottom plate 21 is aconical inwardly and upwardly extending baille 24. From the uppercircular Aedge of this baille, the plate is inclined inwardly .anddownwardly, in conical form,

' having a lip 25, and terminates in a relatively lar e central circularaperture .26, throu h which the column of vapor passes upwardly.

Located above, and separated from, the bottom plate 21 is a top plate.or bale plate 32,which has a circular periphery 33, and therefrom curvesinwardly and downwardly to a central outlet 34. This plate effectsaplurali'ty of functions, the underface thereof servin to deflect andoutwardly guide the ascen ing column of vapor, and the upper sidethereof serving to gather a part of separated moisture. I Y Means areprovided lfor imparting rotary and preferably'circular motion to thevapor stream, -to centrifugally separate the moisture from the vapor. Asembodied, these means utilize in part the structure previouslydescribed.' As further embodied, between the inwardly and downwardlyinclined an-.` nular or conical to part 25 of the bottom plate 21 andVthe Vun erside of the bale plate 32 are a plurali y@ of guidrligpartitions -or vanes 37 ,which are vertic y'disposed between the plates,and are or-may be of alp- .ly within the scope of the invention. Theseguide plates or vanes 37, spaced preferably equally apart and parallelyarranged about the entire circle between the bottom plate and the bailleplate; constitute a series of passages for deflecting and directing thestream or column of vapor into a circular path, and at the same timeincreasing its velocity.

The stream or column of vapor generated in the lower part of the vacuumpan ascends within the pan, and is accelerated by the contraction of thedome 17 and of the bottom plate 21, and passes upwardly through theopening 26 with greatly increased velocity. It then impinges upon thelower facev of the baffle plate 32 and is thereby directed outwardlytoward the horizontal, and passing through the passages 38- between thevanes 37 is given a very rapid circular motion about the outside of themechanism just described and Vwithin the circular casing 16. Thecircular motion of the vapor atvthe relativelyvhigh velocity separatesout by centrifugal action the particles or drops of moisture Vwhich havebeen carried upwardly from the evaporating liquid in the lower part ofthe vacuum pan. y

Means are provided by the invention for permitting the drops of moistureso separated to escape 1n a general radial dr tangential or at leastoutward direction, while restraining the vapor in its circular path. Inthe embodied form thereof, there is provided within the circular wall ofthe casing 16 a perforate wall 42, spaced away from the wall 16. Wall 42is supported in a suitable manner, as

by means of tap bolts 43 passing through the4 wall and into a top ring44 and bottoni lugs 44 formed on, and inwardly'projecting from, theinner side of the casing 16.

The openings in the inner casing 42 are designed and adapted to permitthe escape of the drops of moisture while permitting the entry ofsubstantially none of the rapidly swirling current of vapor. As shown inFigs. l and 4, elongated and relatively narrow openings 45 are arrangedin side by side annular series entirely around the casing plate 42,these openings being relatively narrow. The particular structure may ofcourse be or plates with cupped or cockled surfaces Means are furtherprovided, in the present preferred form, to assist in the deposition anddownward travel of the drops or partiel -s of moisture which have passedthroughV the openings 45. As' embodied, a series of ribs 46 arevertically arranged and project inwardl from the inner face of thecasing 16 ami a utv against the outer face ofthe inner greatly varied,andvertical bars, wire mesh 'may be employed, as well as otherparticular J forms of detail structure.

casing 42, thereby forming chambers or compartments therebetween, whichare open at the bottom, but are closed at the sides as described, andare also closed at the top by the form of the u r part of the casing 16as best shown in ig. 1.

The drops of moisture passing through the openings adhere upon the innerface wall of the casing 16, are directed downwardly by the partitions46, and pass into the annular trough formed bythe exterior` face of theflange 22 of the bottom plate 21 and 'by the inner face of the outercasing 16. A drain pipe 48 carries the liquid back from a port 49 anddischarges this relatively cool liquid at or adjacent to the wallof thevacuum pan at the most advantageous point in the circulation system ofthe pan.

Means are provided by the inventionv for causing the rapidly swirlingcolumn or stream of vapor to be deflected upwardly and inwardlyradially, or at least toward the center of its circular motion, and atthe same time permitting it to expand and thereby to decrease inlvelocity. This action results in the precipitation of further moisturefrom the vapor just prior to its passing out from the mechanism to thecondenser, or to another vacuum pan toheat same or otherwise.

As embodied and constructed, the casing 16, and the inner casing' 42extend upwardly a substantial distance above the top plate or bailleplate 32, and the chamber 16 terminates in an inwardly and upwardlyinclined conical part 56, which discharges into pipe57, leading away toanother vacuum pan or to the condenser, as already indicated, andcreating suction or vacuum to draw the vapor column or current. Asalready described the upper face of the bame plate 32 is adapted toreceive the moisture precipitated from the vapor column or stream atthis point, dueto its deceleration and cooling, and to collect itcentrally thereof. It is discharged thence through the opening 34 into apipe 58, which in turn -discharges it toward the outer wall of thevacuum pan. l

The structure shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is practically the same as, orsimilar to, that shown in the preceding figures except that thestructure consists of plates, while in the preceding figures it islargely of cast metal.

It will be understood that while the vapor stream is described as beingmoved 1n a circular path, that various rotary movements are equivalent,althoughthe circular motion is `functionally more eilicient andmechanically more convenient, and the claims w1ll be so understood.

In Figs. 6 and 7 the invention 1s shown 1nstalled in a vapor conveyingpipe, and 1t may obviously be used in either an inclined ora.

horizontal pipe as may be most convenientk and efficient in anyparticular case.

In said figures, the vapor pipe 1s shown for an opening 68 at the lowestside of the shell 65, to permit the separated liquid to drain to theoutlet 69.

The vaporoutlet pipe 70 is arranged centrally on aninverted' cone71,-Which forms one slde of the separator. The space contained by anglebetween the cone 62 and the top p-art of shell 65 is removed from thepath of the liquor flow and forms a quiescent pocket for the separationof the liquid from the vapor. Perforated plates 7 3 fitted over the coneby means of radial angles assist in the separation of the liquids anddrainage of sameto the drain outlet 69. The pipe forming the vaporoutlet is extended inside .the inverted cone 71, and flares at the edgesc as to prevent the separated liquid from being swept off with theoutgoing vapors.

In action the separator will operate as -followsz Vapor will beintroduced at the inlet and glven a rotar-y motion by the Vanes 64 atthe same tlme as it is liberated into the annular space between theplate 63 and the perforated lining 66. Owing to the proportioning ofthis annular space, the velocity is reduced whilst the centrifugal forcewill throw the separated liquid against the perforated lining 66. Theangle 1rons 67 are substantially continuous so that liquid will not beswept through the perforations and back v again into the.' vapor space,whilst being inverted they will ormgutters for conducting the liquid tothe bot-tom of the separator ad- ]acent to the drain outlet 69. Thevapor inlowing from-the annular space between 63 and 66 to the vaporoutlet, is subject to a 'change of direction as well as inwardconcentric motion against the action of the centrifu al force, so thatcontained liquids will be le t behind, and allowed to settle in theannular space formed between the cone 71 and inner lining 66. Suitablemeans are provided to drain the separator continuously at the outlet 69whilst under vacuum.

It will thus be clear that the operation of.

y the device in this form is very similar to that employed in the upperpart of an evaporating device, as precedingly described..

` It is to be noted that in my invention the vapor space 7 between theliquid in the pan and the moisture separatin and saving device isrelatively large, w ich permits the 4first and major separation of themoisture from the vapor; comparatively littleof the liquid is carriedoff with the vapor, and it is this relatively small portion of liquidthat is separated from the yapor in the separating and saving device.

It is further to be noted that the inwardly extending lip 25 ofthe baiielate 24 will prevent most of the splash wor ing into the separating andsaving device.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specificmechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefromwithin the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from theprinciples of t-he invention and without sacrificing its chiefadvantages.

. What I claim is 1. An apparatus for separating entrained liquid fromthe vapor generated in an evaporator including in combination achamberfor the passage of the travelling column of vapor and entrained liquid,means' for ,de-

fleeting said column away from its normal direction of flow, means forincreasing the velocity of the vapor and entrained liquid and fordirectin it-along a curved path in the chamber, an means along ltheperiphery of said path for collectin the liquid separated from the vaporby t e centrifugal action without diverting the vapor from its curvedpath. e

2. An apparatus for separating entrained liquid from the vapor generated1n an evaporator including in combination a chamber y for the passageofthe travelling column of vapor and entrained liquid, means fordetlecting said column away from its normal direction of flow, means forincreasing the velocity of the Vapor 'and entrained liquid and fordirecting it along a curved path in the chamber, and means alon theperiphery of said path for collectin t e liquid separated from the vaporby t e centrifugal action without diverting the vapor from its curvedpath comprising a zone along the periphery of said path defined by theinner vsurface of the chamber wall and an inner smooth from.

3. An apparatus for separating entrained perforated plate separatedthereliquid from the vapor generated 1n an evaporator including incombination a chamber for the passage of the travelling column of vaporand entrained liquid, means in the chamber fordeflecting said column outof its forward path, vanes cooperating with said deflecting means fordirecting the vapor and liquid in a substantially circular path whileaccelerating its velocity, and. a collecting zone along the periphery ofthe curved pathadapted to receive the liquid separated from the va orwhile substantially preventing entry of t e vapor," comprising a smoothperforated plateconcentric with the chamber wall at one end of t e platefor l sealing the space between the plate and the chamber wall at thatpoint, soas to prevent the circulation of vapor therebetween.

4. An apparatus for separating entrained liquid from the vapor generated1n an evaporator including in combination a chamber for the passage ofthe travelling column of vaporand entrained liquid, means in the chamberfor delecting said column `out of its forward path, vanes cooperatingwith said deflecting means for directlng the vapor and liquid in asubstantially circular path while accelerating its Velocity, and aplurality of collecting recesses along the periphery of the curved pathadapted to receive the liquid separated from the vapor whilesubstantially preventing entry of the vapor, defined by the innersurface of the chamber wall, a smooth perforated plate concentricthereto and separated therefrom, a member at one end of the plate forsealing the space between the plate and the 'chamber wall at that point,and a plurality of spaced-apart ribs between the chamber wall and theplate.A

l5. An apparatus for separating entrained liquid from the vaporgenerated in an evaporator including in a combination a chamber for thepassage of the travelling column of vapor and entrained liquid, meansfor deiiecting sai column away from its normal direction ,of flow, meansfor increasingthe Velocity of the Vapor and entrained liquid and forimparting a rotary motion thereto, means for collecting the liquidseparated from the vapor b the centrifugal action while permitting t eunimpeded passage of vthe vapor past said collecting means, means forpermitting the expansion and deceleration of the vapor and means forcollecting the additional liquid Vprecipitated from the y 6. Anapparatus for separating entrained liquid from the vapor generatedin anevaporator including in combination a' chamber -for the passage of thetravelling column of vapor and-entrained liquid, means for deflectingsaid column away from its normal vdirection of flow, means for increasinthe orator including in combination a verti y disposed, substantiallycylindrical chamber for the passa e of the vapor and liquld, means inthe c amber for detlecting toward the horizontal the upwardly travellingcolumn of vapor and liquid, a liquid collecting zone with asubstantially cylindrical, smooth perforated screen concentric with andseparated from the inner surface of the chamber walls, and meansdisposed centrally of said lo screen for directing streams of vapor andliquid against thescreen with a whirling motion so that the liquidpasses through the perforations into the collecting zone while the vaporpasses by the screen.

8. An apparatus for separating entrained liquid from the vapor generated1n an evaporator including in combination a substantially cylindricalchamber for the passage of the vapor and liquid, means to direct theVapor and liquid in a swirling circular path through the chamber, acollecting chamber adjacent the outer periphery of the vapor path havinga smooth surfaced, multi-apertured inner Wall adapted to permit theentry of the liquid separated from the Vapor by the centrifugal actionwhile substantially excluding the entry of any vapor, and means fordirecting the vapor inwardly from its circular path and for deceleratingthe vapor to further separate liquid therefrom.

9. An apparatus for separating entrained liquid from the vapor generatedin an evaporator including in combination a substantially cylindricalchamber for the passage of 3,-, the vapor and liquid, means to directthe vapor and liquid in a swirling circular path through the chamber, acollecting chamber adjacent the outer periphery of the vapor path havinga smooth surfaced, multi-apertured Vinner wall adapted to permit theentry 'of the liquid separated from the vapor by the centrifugal actionwhile substantially excluding the entrybf any vapor, means for directingthe vapor inwardly from its circular path and for decelerating the vaporto further separate liquid therefrom and means for gathering themoisture precipitatedfrom the decelerated vapor.

l In testimony whereof, I have signed my 5c` name tothis specification.

JAMES HAMILL.

